Insert saddle shoe

ABSTRACT

An athletic shoe comprising a sole, an upper toe and heel portion, a U-shaped panel having a series of holes for a shoe lace, a transparent panel extending from the U-shaped panel to the sole on both sides of the panel and open at its upper end adjacent said panel to define a pocket wherein the panel lies adjacent the open end of the pocket, a replaceable insert of a size and shape to fit in said pockets having a variety of designs and colors and including at least one hole in its upper edge to secure the insert in the pocket when the shoe lace is in place.

This Regular patent application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application No. 60/584,431 filed Jun. 29, 2004, entitled: INSERT SADDLE SHOE.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates broadly to so-called saddle shoes and more specifically to an improved version featuring a removable insert for the saddle element.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Saddle shoes are not new per se and typically comprise a plain toed upper portion with conventional laces and usually of a light color white and a leather strap on the outside and inside of the upper portion sewn to the main portion of the upper and extending between the lace portion and the sole much like a saddle straddles the sides of a horse. These shoes have become popular as athletic shoes and particularly used by cheerleaders and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improvement in so-called saddle shoes and is characterized by novel features of construction and arrangement whereby the style and appearance of the saddle portion of the shoe can be selectively varied and changed. This feature is particularly desirable in shoes of this type used for cheerleading because the color and style of the shoe can be matched more readily with the many and varied costumes worn by cheerleaders. The saddle is interchangeable, and therefore, the replaceable saddle can be a variety of colors and different school logos.

More specifically, the saddle comprises a transparent panel secured along side edges extending from the lace area of the shoe to the sole which is open at the lace area to define a pocket. The replaceable inserts with color and logo design fits in the pocket and has a locating hole in its upper edge so that when the shoe is laced the replaceable insert is held in a fixed position in the pocket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The details of the present invention are set forth hereafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein;

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a saddle shoe with removable inserts made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the shoe;

FIG. 3 is a top plain view of a saddle type athletic shoe in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plain view showing the sole;

FIG. 5 is another side elevational view;

FIG. 6 is a front view;

FIG. 7 is an end view showing the heel of the shoe;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are side elevational views of the shoe incorporating features of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view showing the removable inserts;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are views showing the inserts;

FIG. 13 is a another fragmentary view showing the inserts in a partially position;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the insert in place; and

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of the circled portion of FIG. 14.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 8-15 thereof, there is shown a saddle shoe in accordance with the present invention generally designated by the numeral (10). The athletic shoe as best illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 comprises a sole (12) and an upper portion generally designated by the numeral (14). The upper portion (14) includes a U-shaped panel (16) having a series of openings or holes (18) arranged longitudinally along the two leg extensions (16 a) of the U-shaped panel (16) These holes facilitate threading a lace (20) and as illustrated overlie the tongue (22) in the manner shown.

The upper portion (14) includes a panel (26) made of a transparent material extending from the U-shaped collar (16) downwardly to the sole portion (12) and is secured to the upper portion (14) along its serpentine side edges (28) so the overall appearance of the shoe resembles a so-called saddle shoe. The panel (26) is secured to the inside surface of the U-shaped collar (16) to define a pocket (32) open at its upper end to permit easy assembly and disassembly of inserts (40) which can be made of various colors and designs for interchangeability at the discretion of the user. The inserts (40) as shown in FIGS. 11 and 14 have a hole (42) adjacent the upper edge so that the inset can be anchored in place in the pocket (32). As shown, the inserts may bear logos or color indicia so that the user of the shoe can selectively change the inserts very readily. The inserts (40) have a serpentine side edge configuration (44) complementing the transparent panel (26) defining the pocket (32) to provide a finished look when in place in the shoe.

Even though a particular embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described herein, it is not intended to limit the invention and changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the following claims. 

1. An athletic shoe comprising a sole, an upper toe and heel portion, a U-shaped panel having a series of holes for a shoe lace, a transparent panel extending from the U-shaped panel to the sole on both sides of the panel and open at its upper end adjacent said panel to define a pocket wherein the panel lies adjacent the open end of the pocket, a replaceable insert of a size and shape to fit in said pockets having a variety of designs and colors and including at least one hole in its upper edge to secure the insert in the pocket when the shoe lace is in place. 